Paging: Gucci Saves Christmas

With Where the Wild Things Are safely enshrined in cinematic history, Gucci’s filling the public imagination—and voids under Christmas trees everywhere—with a new children’s book.

In honor of the fifth anniversary of the Gucci Campaign to Benefit UNICEF, Gucci creative director Frida Giannini commissioned author, illustrator, and Vanity Fair style director Michael Roberts to create Snowman in Africa, the colorful and creative story sequel to Roberts’ 2004 Snowman in Paradise.

Presumably like the book’s author and so many in the magazine industry, Roberts’ snowman is looking to escape from the numbing grayness of New York when he’s granted a getaway to Africa. Along the way, he comes dances with African masks and entertains hippos, and paints spots on his snowy form to be better disguised amongst leopards and cheetahs, but he never forgets the children of New York. It’s a harrowing tale of social mobility and polite opportunism, told in a crisp cut-up style.

Until December 31, Gucci will donate 100% of the proceeds from Snowman in Africa to UNICEF, as well as 25% of any accessories and Gift Cards associated with the collection. The accessories include key rings, coin purses, and two versions of the medium sized Joy handbag with appliqués of Roberts’ characters.